Supple striking face for golf putters



Oct. 12, 1965 3,211,455

A. G. HYDEN SUPPLE STRIKING FACE FOR GOLF PUTTERS Filed Sept. 26, 1962 IG.2 FIG 3 INVENTOR. ALSIE c. HYDEN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,211,455 SUPPLE STRIKING FACE FOR GOLF PUTTERS Alsie G. Hyden, 3828 S. Indianapolis, Tulsa, Okla. Filed Sept. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 226,290 1 Claim. (Cl. 27378) This invention relates to golf clubs and more particularly relates to an improved golf putter.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a putter wherein the striking face comprises a relatively resilient material behind which is a relatively weighted or heavier mass.

It is another object of this invention to provide a golf club which provides a greater sense of touch or feel in the stroking of a golf ball, especially on the putting green.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent upon further reading of the specification and claim when taken in conjunction with the following illustrations of which:

FIGURE 1 is just an elevational view of a putter constructed according to this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, a golf putter is shown comprising a handle portion 10, a tapering metallic or glass shaft 12 and the putter head generally designated by the numeral 14 and hereinafter more specifically described. The head includes the striking face 16 which makes contact with a golf ball, not shown. The putter head comprises an inner Weighted metallic portion 18, which can be of any desired configuration and is not necessarily limited to that design shown. A layer of resilient material 20 is molded, in a manner such that it is integrally bonded and sealed about and to the inner mass 18 and about a small portion of shaft 12 forming portion 22.

The manufacture of the putter of this invention includes inner core portion 18, which can be pre-molded of an aluminum bronze, together with tapered shaft 12. Typically the shaft is a chrome plated steel with a plurality of downwardly and inwardly tapering steps, although this is not a limiting factor in this invention. Thereafter grip 10, which may be of the various rubber or leather types available, is attached to the upper end of the shaft. The clubhead inner core 18, and a small portion of the shaft 12 is placed in a mold designed to permit formation of a resilient rubber composite coating about the head of the putter. The resiliency of the rubber at the striking face represents an important part of this invention. Typically a material resulting in a durometer hardness within the range of 65 to 85 is preferred. A inch thick coating is ice found to be suificient. It is further preferred that the portion 21 forming the sole of the club head be of a relatively harder rubber in order to slide across the putting surface Without frictional interruption of the club head movement.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 3 a weighted metallic head portion 30 includes a shaft and handle of the type herein described cast or imbedded .or in some manner attached to the head portion. In this embodiment the striking face 34 is composed of a relatively resilient material 36 which is molded as an integral part or in some manner locked into place such as by under grooving 38, or any other interlocking groove method.

A putter constructed according to this invention not only provides a greater sense of touch or feel with the striking of the ball but is further protected from damage as the club is carried and jostled with the other clubs in a typical golf bag.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific and preferred embodiment, it will be apparent, however, that many modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, this invention can be considered not to be limited to the embodiment herein described, but should be limited only by the scope of the attendant claim.

What is claimed:

A golf putter comprising:

a shaft,

a hand grip portion at one end of said shaft,

a substantially rectangular cross-section solid metallic striking head portion at the other end of said shaft, said portion enclosed substantially throughout its surface with a uniform thickness of resilient rubber material finished to form a smooth striking surface, said resilient material of durometer hardness in the range between about to 85.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,222,770 4/17 Kaye 27380.2 1,463,533 7/23 Kurz 273173 1,606,522 11/26 Freedlander et a1 27367 1,641,525 9/27 Boessow 27367 2,429,351 10/47 Fetterolf 27378 2,766,047 10/56 Karns 273173 X 2,774,600 12/56 Reach 27378 X 2,912,245 11/59 Gardner et al. 27378 X FOREIGN PATENTS 323,897 1/30 Great Britain.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

JAMES W. LOVE, Examiner. 

